Srikanth - Changing tracks with Drohi

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Srikanth has been around in the industry for seven years now with 16 films under his belt. However, success has been eluding him. But the actor hopes everything will change for the better with the release and praises that he is receiving after Drohi produced by Indira Innovations and directed by Sudha K. Prasad, a former assistant to Mani Ratnam. In an exclusive interview to Sify.com, Srikanthh opens up.

You have made a comeback of sorts with Drohi. Please comment?
Yes my last release was Police Police which was a Telugu film dubbed into Tamil which didn’t do too well. In the last few months I have been shooting for a Telugu flick with Naga Chaitanya and I have just returned from Thailand. I was waiting for Drohi to release before taking new projects and there is a reason for that.

How did you accept Drohi which is a double hero film?
Producer Mano Akkineni called me as she felt that the role suited me and I met director Sudha who offered me this role. Vishnu and I have equal footing and Sudha gave us our scenes and dialogues, weeks in advance and so we knew exactly what we were in for. To be honest I did have the fear in signing a two hero film but all that disappeared once we started the shoot. That fear of competition which was within both of us and Sudha’s constant challenge made us work better. Vishnu is very friendly and refreshing and we got on very well and that chemistry works for the film. Besides, double hero subjects are rampant in Hindi and Telugu so why not here too?

It’s the first time you shaved off your moustache for this role. How come?
Yes that true I shaved off my moustache after 8 years just for this role as the director wanted to portray my character in a different way. I was also required to look younger to Vishnu in the role so I had to lose 7 kgs also and get trimmer. The final result has been good according to the numerous messages I have been getting the minute the posters were out!

How did you get into the skin of the character?
I play a Royapuram guy who is laid back and chilled out. Sudha deserves all credit for getting us into character. She made me go to Royapuram before the shoot so that I merged with the crowds and began observing people. Soon I made regular friends there and everyone co operated with the unit once we started shooting. I also picked up the local slang and body language from them. Even my dialogue delivery is different in this film.

Why do you think success has been eluding you so far? Will that change with Drohi?
Well I have made some choices which didn’t work in my favour I admit. I blame myself for that. I know Indra Vizha and Rasikkum Seemaney didn’t do too well in the recent past. But now I will get choosy with my roles. I have a good feeling about Drohi. I am relying on Drohi for people to see me in a new light and offer me different roles in future.